European Parliament and EU Council negotiators on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) are trying to cobble together compromises on aid to the fleet, but the Commission is being very firm to avoid “harmful” subsidies.
The European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries took stock on Thursday 25 June of the discussions at the 12 June trilogue on the EMFF 2021-2027. MEPs did not hesitate to denounce the “pressure” applied by the Commission on this issue, and even “threats”.
EMFF rapporteur Gabriel Mato (EPP, Spain) stressed that Parliament and EU Council agreed on a number of points, including that when public aid is granted to a vessel, it should not result in an increase in fishing capacity.
The operations financed should make it possible to improve safety on board vessels, Mr Mato stressed. There will also have to be a ceiling per country in terms of fishing capacity.
“These are not harmful subsidies”, Mr. Mato defended, adding: “The Commission is not on the same page as we are, because it thinks that this aid is toxic subsidies”.
On engine replacement, the idea is to be able to subsidise the modernisation of engines, without increasing the engine capacity of boats. Small boats will be able to be helped to change the engine, as well as those from 12 to 24 metres, but on condition that they reduce their CO2 emissions. The question is open as to the exact amount of CO2 involved, Mato explained.
On the construction of new boats, “we do not agree”, the rapporteur said.
On behalf of Manuel Pizarro (S&D, Italy), Spain’s Clara Aguilera denounced the “pressure” exerted by the Commission on certain issues. “This type of threat” prevents discussions from moving forward, according to Mr Pizzaro. “We cannot tolerate the slightest threat”, Mrs Aguilera summed up.
No to the financing of new boats. Parliament Committee on Fisheries Chair Pierre Karleskind (Renew Europe, French), felt that the compromises and debates were heading in the right direction. “We manage to maintain the will to avoid moving towards subsidies that may lead to overfishing or overcapacity while remaining pragmatic for the sector”, he said. “We have ruled out the financing of new boats”, Mr Karleskind commended. Mr Mato did not fully recognise this concession, but stressed that Parliament sometimes had to make concessions and be more flexible.
On the replacement and modernisation of engines, “we have managed to keep alive the spirit of the European Green Deal”, Mr Karleskind felt, by also allowing the 12-24 metres to benefit from aid “if they reduce greenhouse gas emissions”.
In terms of increasing capacity, a solution is emerging which, according to Mr Karleskind, makes it possible to meet the challenges of energy efficiency (more room on board for a hydrogen engine) “without increasing fishing capacity”.
Suggestions made by the Commission. The Commission has made proposals for a framework for subsidies, which will be discussed at a forthcoming meeting of shadow rapporteurs, said the Chair of the Parliament Committee on Fisheries.
“The compromise on the table does not make it possible to avoid the risk of harmful effects” of this aid to the fleet, replied the Commission representative.
The Commission cannot therefore accept the compromise on the table, as safeguard measures are needed to ensure that aid for the modernisation of vessels is limited to enhancing safety on board, energy efficiency and better sustainability, she explained.
The Commission has made proposals to avoid harmful subsidies. “We are not at war with Parliament. But toxic subsidies must be avoided”, concluded the Commission representative.
Francisco Guerreiro (Greens/EFA, Spain) agreed that the Commission had taken a tough stance.
Caroline Roose (Greens/EFA, France) called on Parliament and the EU Council to listen to the Commission, which says these subsidies are toxic. She also noted that vessels between 12 and 24 metres in length are likely to capture all the subsidies, to the detriment of small-scale fishing.
WTO. Meanwhile, talks on fisheries subsidies resumed at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 25 June. A draft consolidated text has been presented to Members with the objective of facilitating the identification of landing zones in these extensive negotiations. The text focuses on the three main prohibitions of subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, subsidies that exploit overexploited stocks, and subsidies that contribute to the creation of excessive fishing capacity. It also includes provisions on the scope of the agreement, such as the question of the inclusion of fuel subsidy programs. Members will be invited to comment on this text on 21 July. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur, with Hermine Donceel)